What is Tremfya? Uses, warnings & side effects
Tremfya is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat psoriasis and ulcerative colitis. Its active ingredient is a monoclonal antibody called guselkumab, which prevents inflammation by blocking the immune system. The only way to take Tremfya is by injecting it, but people can do this at home using a prefilled syringe, patient-controlled injector, or pen injector. Injections are usually required only once every two months.
Tremfya overview
BRAND NAMES:
Tremfya
Generic Names:
Guselkumab
Uses:
Treats plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis
Therapeutic Classes:
Antipsoriatic, interleukin-23 inhibitor
Forms:
Injection
How it’s taken:
Injection
What is Tremfya used for?
The FDA has approved Tremfya as a maintenance treatment for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.
What form(s) does Tremfya come in?
Single-dose prefilled syringe
100 mg/1 mL
200 mg/2 mL
Single-dose patient-controlled injector
100 mg/1 mL
Single-dose pen injector
200 mg/2 mL
Single-dose vial (intravenous injection)
200 mg/20 mL
What are common Tremfya dosages?
For plaque psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis in adults: 100 mg subcutaneous injection on week zero and week four, followed by 100 mg subcutaneous injections every eight weeks
For ulcerative colitis in adults: 200 mg intravenous injection on week zero, week four, and week eight, followed by 100 mg subcutaneous injections every eight weeks OR 200 mg subcutaneous injections every four weeks
Tremfya images - What does Tremfya look like?
Tremfya
1ml of 100mg/ml syringe
How to take Tremfya
Take Tremfya as instructed.
A healthcare provider will demonstrate how to give an injection.
It’s also possible for a healthcare provider to administer all injections.
Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.
Please review the Instructions for Use before each injection.
Store Tremfya in its original carton in the refrigerator. Protect it from light and damage. Do not freeze.
Do not remove the syringe or injector from the refrigerator until ready to administer an injection.
Do not shake the prefilled syringe or injector.
Do not use a Tremfya prefilled syringe or injector if:
The medicine appears cloudy, discolored or has large particles in it
The expiration date has passed
The medicine has been frozen
The injector or syringe has been damaged
A healthcare provider will demonstrate the appropriate body areas for injections. Use a different body area for each injection.
Do not inject into areas where the skin is tender, bruised, red, hard, thick, scaly, or in areas with scars, stretch marks, or is affected by psoriasis.
How to use the Tremfya One-Press Injector:
The Tremfya One-Press Patient-Controlled Injector is used for 100 mg injections only.
Remove the Injector from the refrigerator and let it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes to warm up. Do not warm the medicine any other way, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Check the expiration date, the appearance of the medicine, and for any damage to the pen.
Choose an injection area and wipe it with an alcohol swab.
Remove the bottom cap only when ready to inject the medicine.
Place the bottom of the injector on the skin.
Push the handle down at your own pace. Pushing the handle down injects the medicine.
Keep pushing down the handle at your own pace until the entire teal portion of the injector is not visible. At that point, the injection is finished.
Lift the pen straight up and dispose of it in a sharps container.
Apply a cotton swab to the injection site for a few seconds.
How to use the Tremfya Pen:
The Tremfya Pen is for 200 mg injections only.
Remove the pen from the refrigerator and let it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes to warm up. Do not warm the medicine any other way, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Check the expiration date, the appearance of the medicine, and for any damage to the pen.
Choose an injection area and wipe it with an alcohol swab.
Remove the cap. Do not touch the yellow needle guard.
Inject the medicine within five minutes of removing the cap.
Position the pen above the injection site at a 90˚ angle.
Push and hold the pen injector against the skin. The pen will click at the start of the injection and click a second time after 10 seconds.
Continue to press the pen against the skin until the plunger completely fills up the medicine window.
Lift the pen straight up and dispose of it in a sharps container.
Apply a cotton swab to the injection site for a few seconds.
How to use a Tremfya prefilled syringe:
Use the right syringe for your prescribed dose. The 100 mg syringe has a teal plunger, and the 200 mg syringe has a dark yellow plunger.
Remove the carton from the refrigerator and let it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes to warm up. Do not warm the medicine any other way, and keep it out of direct sunlight.
Check the syringe to make sure it’s not damaged or expired, and check the medicine to make sure it’s clear.
Choose an injection area and wipe it with an alcohol swab.
Remove the needle cover. After the cover is removed, you have five minutes to inject the medicine.
Pinch the skin.
Quickly push the needle into the pinched skin at a 45˚ angle.
Slowly push the plunger until all the medicine is injected.
Release the plunger. The needle will automatically retract into the body of the syringe.
Dispose of the syringe in a sharps container.
What to do if you miss a dose of Tremfya
If a dose is missed, inject the next dose as soon as it’s remembered.
Take the next dose as scheduled.
If you have questions, consult with the prescribing healthcare professional.
Tremfya contraindications - Who shouldn't take Tremfya?
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to guselkumab.
Tremfya warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are taking Tremfya.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have:
Liver disease
An infection
Any history of repeated infections
Active tuberculosis (TB)
A history of tuberculosis
A positive TB skin test in the past
Exposure to anyone who has tuberculosis
This medicine may cause you to get infections more easily. Take precautions to avoid infections, such as regular handwashing and avoiding sick people. If you do show signs of an infection, get medical attention.
Tremfya interactions & what to avoid when taking Tremfya
Tell the prescriber about all your medications, supplements, and remedies, particularly other drugs that suppress the immune system.
Avoid live vaccines. Because Tremfya weakens the immune systems, there is a risk that a live vaccine could produce an active infection.
This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccine.
Tremfya side effects - How does Tremfya make you feel?
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Diarrhea, stomach pain
Painful urination, frequent urination
Fever, chills, sweats, cough
Painful skin or sores
Blood in your mucus, shortness of breath
Muscle aches
Weight loss
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing, throat tightness, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness
Less serious side effects
Infection
Sore throat
Headache
Redness, pain, swelling, or itching where the shot was given
Sources:
Tremfya drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Tremfya guselkumab injection, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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